All that Railways seek is 35 acres at GMR

THE HANS INDIA |
Jan 09,2015 , 11:39 PM IST

15 per cent land still to be acquired for MMTS phase II

It is four months since work on the Multi-Modal Transport System (MMTS) Phase II started and according to the Rail Vikas Nigam Limited (RVNL), 10 per cent of the project is completed. However, there are certain areas where land has to be acquired. Railway officials say that in most of the areas there is no problem and only 15 per cent land is to be acquired for the project.

While the decision on rail connectivity to Shamshabad airport hangs in balance, any delay in land acquisition in other areas may delay the project. P Srinivas, chief project manager, RVNL, says, “Land is to be acquired in few areas such as Ramchandrapuram, Moula Ali and Ferozguda which totals to just 15 per cent. We do not see it as a major problem and should be sorted out soon.”

There are 24 encroachments in Ramachandrapuram; about eight in Moula Ali and the Railways needs half an acre of land from BHEL in Ferozguda. The total length of the MMTS Phase II is 90 km track. Levelling for laying tracks, construction of road bed, over head electrification, road under bridges, major and minor culverts and track linking works are in progress and in different stages of completion. Noor, general secretary, Suburban Train & Bus Travellers Association, says, “Land acquisition is crucial as it would determine the speedy completion of the project. Encroachments on railway lands have been going on for a long time.”

The Telangana government too is keen on speedy progress. Out of the total cost of the project, the State government would bear two-third of the cost and the one-third by railways. P Srinivas said, “We have received the total amount of Rs 40 cr for the last financial year from the state government.”